For as long as I have wanted to be a journalist, meaning since 2008, people have warned me about the fast-approaching disappearance of printed newspapers and paper-based stationery. "By the time you grow up, none of this will still exist," unconsulted family relatives used to tell me. 16 years fast forward, and not only is all of that still here, but my generation has developed an even stronger attachment to, and a willingness to preserve, not just the memory but the practical artistry of this offline, analog world. The rising popularity of old-style, brick-and-mortar stationery shops isn't but a symptom of our need to touch with hand the notebooks, sketching pads, and pencils that will allow us to draft our most creative ideas yet. In London alone, there are plenty of these establishments to choose from, many of which stand out for their striking interiors: so what are the best London stationery shops every journaler and organization freak should have on their radar?
To help you distinguish the family-run, independent businesses infusing a true love of design, community, and craftsmanship into the city's pen-and-paper industry, we have taken a closer look at the values and goods on offer to identify the very best London stationery shops. Whether you're planning a holiday to the UK and searching for unconventional hotspots to add to your itinerary, or you're based in London and interested in finding the most beautifully designed, well-stocked stationery shops, the locations mentioned below are definitely worth pinning on your maps. If staying at the best London hotels, dining at the best London restaurants, and enjoying an afternoon break at the best cafés in London will immerse you in the city's world-envied stylistic and culinary melting pot, spending time at any these stationery stores will fill you with creativity and respect for those that persevere in setting up shop independently.
